All About Seduction(10)

Caroline scarcely had a second to decide if she was mortified that her husband thought her so lacking in wiles that he thought he had to pay a man, or if he had just decided it might be expedient.

“Caro,” said Robert in a quiet voice. “I suppose you will marry again after Broadhurst passes, but consider, your choices will be so much better with Broadhurst wealth.”

A shudder ran down her spine. The last thing she wanted was to allow another man the right to use her body at will. “I cannot conceive of a prospect more unpleasant.”

“You don’t wish to marry again?” Robert’s brow knit. “You have always told us you were content in your marriage.”

He truly didn’t know her. “No. Are you saying I couldn’t return home to Nesham Hall? Hasn’t my husband’s contribution to the family coffers earned me a place there?” She didn’t exactly want to return home as a widow either, but she couldn’t imagine living so close to the mill if it were no longer hers. She would have to purchase another house, perhaps close to her family.

Robert tilted his head to the side. “Of course you can come home. I just thought you’d want a child. Don’t you want a baby?”

“If God did not grant me one through my marriage, then I don’t wish to commit adultery to have one.” Therein was the crux. “I want the mill, Robert. I know how to run it.”

Besides, who else could Mr. Broadhurst leave it to? He had no one else.

One of the millworkers joined the others and settled his hands on his hips while watching her. His unbleached muslin shirt puffed around his braces. Recognition jolted her. She always noticed him when she entered the mill. Worse yet, he always seemed aware when she looked in his direction.

The chill wind ruffled his dark hair, which had been neatly barbered. More used to his hair being too long and unruly, she stared at him. Where had he been? He smiled at a comment a young woman tossed in his direction. The man’s attention shifted back to Caroline and his eyes tightened.

Catching herself, she resisted the urge to change her direction and go toward him. It wasn’t as if he’d beckoned to her. He didn’t watch her because she was beautiful like her sisters. He probably watched her with the wariness of a man who suspected she could end his employment with a snap of the fingers. Her fascination with him was entirely misplaced.

His family worked at the mill, except she’d decreed that no child under nine could work. She remembered the man standing to the side as she told the middle-aged woman who answered the door that the youngest children should attend school. The woman protested, but he had quietly said it was best they learned as much as they could, while they could. Caroline had been pleased he understood the value of education even if the woman did not.

As far as sacrifices for family went, Caroline could have had it worse. Mr. Broadhurst always made certain she had fashionable clothes, beautiful jewelry, and the latest books. She hadn’t been put to work in a mill at the age of five. Her duties to her husband were mild compared to the life the millworkers led.

“Sarah said you might make use of her husband, if needs must.”

“For Pete’s sake, does everyone know?” she exclaimed.

The millworker squinted over his shoulder as if asking if she needed assistance.

Her mind spinning, she shook her head, silently rebuffing the worker’s concern. She deliberately dropped her arms.

The worker gave one last questing tilt of his head before entering the mill. Heart pounding, Caroline swung away from the sanctity of the brick building, where once again she’d drawn that man’s attention.

For pity’s sake, if she were to do this, he would be just as good a potential sire as any other. He at least appeared concerned about her.

“I consulted with Sarah and Amelia,” her brother said, “because I thought Broadhurst might have been trying to secure you a second husband. Besides, Amy said you would object to married men.”

“I object to all men.”

“If you were to form a tendre . . . oh never mind.” Robert waved off the thought. “I did not realize that Broadhurst had been made a widower twice before. I thought he had been building his wealth and only married late in life.”

Caroline rubbed her forearm. “Why would you have known? You were only sixteen when I married him.” Little more than a year older than she’d been, but they’d both been so young. She hadn’t known her husband had been married twice before until he told her in his study a week ago. He’d always rebuffed her inquiries into his life before her. “Did you know he asked for Sarah’s hand first and then Amelia’s?”